Even a Whatsapp forwarding of fake news can lead to 3 years of imprisonment – Delhi Assembly Committee

Delhi:EROS TIMES:   Greater Kailash MLA and Chairperson of Peace and Harmony committee Mr Saurabh Bharadwaj on Monday said that the Delhi Legislative Assembly has constituted a new committee named ‘Committee on Peace and Harmony’. Right after the formation, the committee today held its first meeting where various important decisions were taken.
He also said that the committee today discussed the reasons behind communal riots in India with a focus on the recent riots in Delhi.
The committee has found that one of the major reasons for such disturbance is fake messages and Hate content which gets circulated through Twitter, Whats App, Facebook and other social media platforms.
He noted that the people forward these messages without checking the facts and this is how hate and enmity spreads between communities often which leading communal tension and violence.

“In India spreading hate between two communities is a serious criminal offence under India Penal Code and other laws.
The committee has decided that we will launch a campaign against fake messages and hate contebt.
We will appraise the people that if anyone shares a fake news or hate content or fake rumour which can cause enmity between two communities then it is a criminal offence which can invite jail term for three years.
We will seek complaints from people through campaign in radio, newspapers and other media platforms,” said Mr Bharadwaj.

“We will request people that if you get any such fake messages or someone sends a hate message on a wattsapp group, or u see a face book post then please send it to this Committee.
Tomorrow, we will launch a Whats App number and an email ID where people can send such complaints.
The Committee will cross check the complaints using its team of legal experts and if we find that the Content can potentially cause hatred or disturbance or enmity between two communities or groups then we will recommend criminal prosecutions to the law enforcement agencies for necessary action,” said Mr Bharadwaj.

“We will also be working with a fact-checking body/probably an agency.
They will primarily assist the Committee in checking the authenticity of the content.
A team of lawyers will be formed that will assist the Committee and they will provide legal assistance to the Committee. A team of IT experts will be formed that will assist the Committee by providing technical assistance.
All the complaints after due diligence, will be forwarded to Police to take the appropriate action,” said Mr Bharadwaj.

He said that the members have shared various experience of such fake messages. “We have found that such fake messages are common in the Whats App groups of both the communities.
We have also found that in many RWA Whats App groups or other groups, some mischievous elements circulate such fake messages full of hatred.
We have also discussed how hatemongers and rumormongers spread hate messages through social media.
We observed that yesterday also such rumors were spread by some people regarding a communal disturbance in Delhi,” said Mr Bharadwaj.

” If you are in a Whats app group or chat group & someone sends a provocative message; then become a whistle blower by making a complaint about it.
The committee will propose that such people should receive a reward of Rs.10,000 if the FIR gets registered on your complaint,” he said.

“The committee has also proposed that the people who have helped others and saved many lives during these riots in Delhi should be rewarded too.
To take forward the discussions the committee will again hold a meeting tomorrow at 3 pm,” said Mr Bharadwaj.